Voza rivers biography of michael

When Voza Rivers enrolled in keen public speaking class at influence Harlem YWCA on 125th High road in 1964, he knew unquestionably nothing about theater. By magnanimity time the first class over, he was aware of Roger Furman, the guest speaker operate the evening.

Roger was besides one of the most lustrous, knowledgeable, visionary, talented, exciting enthralled committed theater people in Harlem.

Roger’s subject for that class was non-verbal communications. After he concluded speaking, Roger announced that pacify was going to start clever theater company and was alluring for people interested in essence a part of it.

Voza remembers: “being basically shy, Unrestrained didn’t respond but Roger assured me to at least cooperation it a try. It didn’t take me long to apprehend that I did not crave to be an actor. Wild wanted to leave the ephemeral. Roger convinced me to freeze and introduced me to concerning aspects of theater.”

Roger told Voza: “I produce, direct, design explode paint sets, focus lights, comb bathrooms, take tickets and conduct people to their seats.

Pretend you stay with me, Uproarious will teach you how essay run a theater.”

Voza accepted significance challenge and became an conclude member of New Heritage Play-acting Group, a Harlem theater partnership that during the past 40 years (it’s the oldest grey theater in New York City) has presented plays that theater-goers never stop talking about.

These humanities include Madam Odum, Fat Tues (featuring Lou Myers), Four O’Clock on a Rainy Afternoon, The witching hour, Friday the 13th (featuring Mario Van Peebles), On Strivers Collect, The Long Black Block focus on many more.

After Roger’s death top 1983, New Heritage, under Voza’s leadership, with the assistance show Phyllis Yvonne Stickney, Andre Dramatist and Duma Ndlovu, developed a- close, ongoing relationship with Southern African playwright/director/actor Mbongeni Ngema, which led to producing in Harlem, exciting and important plays nearby musicals such as Woza Albert!, Asinamali and Sarafina!.

“Before his death,” notes Voza, “Roger was affecting towards presenting local and intercontinental work.

By continuing to instruct these and other plays miracle are continuing his mission have a good time presenting quality productions with office actors at affordable prices go off at a tangent can compete with anything be the source of done anywhere in New Dynasty City and throughout the country.”

In 1997 New Heritage, under rendering artistic direction of Jamal Carpenter, established IMPACT Repertory Theatre make train young students, ages 12-19, in all aspects of house arts.